The nice thing about Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s “holiday” show is that it’s not really about the holidays. So while some theaters are still showcasing lame-duck versions of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ilk, CSC is presenting the classic humor of Falstaff and his ill-fated escapades through Sunday. Even better, given this production has been onstage since late November, you can be sure that its comic edge has been truly sharpened.
Cincy Shakes has transported The Merry Wives of Windsor to mid-20th-century America, especially through the lens of period TV shows and movies. Andy Gaukel portrays Falstaff as a kind of swinging gangster with no self-awareness, one of those guys who thinks women find him irresistible. But Mistress Ford (Sara Clark) and Mistress Page (Kelly Mengelkoch) have his number from the get-go. If you’re weary of ho-ho-ho and bah-humbug, Merry Wives — with its familiar Pop tunes and clever takeoffs on 1950s sci-fi films — could be just the comic tonic you’re seeking.
Final shows run Wednesday-Sunday.
Go here for show times, theater details and ticket information.
